Co-hosted by ACPA-MI and NOSSMI
The Annual Conference is an opportunity for professionals in Michigan to answer the questions they have about the students, institutions, and policies in their state. ACPA and ACPA-MI build spaces to share best practices and build community.
We are proud to collaborate with the Michigan chapter of the National Organisation for Student Success (NOSSMI) to bring you an expanded opportunity to support professional development in the state of Michigan. Our partnership marks to joint commitment to providing a platform for higher education professionals from every functional area, that is affordable, and answers the needs of our field today.
Conference Learning Objectives
As a result of attending the 2025 Annual Conference, attendees will:
- Build a network of colleagues and knowledge from across the state of Michigan.
- Bring back tools to their campuses to increase employee success and engagement.
- Explore how evolving norms in higher education are reshaping professional practice and learn strategies to best support today’s students.
REFLECTIONS FROM THE PAST
“I enjoy how engaging the sessions were, and how the committee incorporated idea sharing on how ACPA can serve the needs of participants”
Feedback from 2023
“I thought the conference went very well. The atmosphere was great for the size of the
conference. I thought the time to interact with others was a powerful feature and gave good pace to the entire conference.”
Feedback from 2018
“I really enjoyed the conference. It was a great networking opportunity. I liked that it was grad focused.”
Feedback from 2018
REGISTRATION
Registration is now open! Review our rates below and click the button to register now!
Early Bird Rates until August 31st:
- Professional - Member: $90.00
- Student - Member: $31.50
- Non-Member: $180.00
Regular Rate (September 1st - October 17):
- Professional - Member: $100.00
- Student - Member: $35.00
- Non-Member: $200.00
Group Rates
Register 3 or more from your team to get a 10% group discount.
To receive the group discount, follow these steps:
- Register all participants.
- Email michigan@acpa.nche.edu with the names and emails of all participants in the group.
- ACPA-MI will then provide you with a credit back to your original form of payment.
How to Register Step-by-step
- Click on the registration link below
- If you are an ACPA or ACPA-MI member, you will be prompted to log in to your account.
- Note: If you are registered as a “Professional” in your ACPA or ACPA-MI membership, only the “Professional” registration will be available to you. For more information about the types of memberships, please visit this link or email michigan@acpa.nche.edu
- If you are not an ACPA or ACPA-MI member, provide your preferred email address.
- Note: You can purchase an ACPA or ACPA-MI membership at any time. For more information about the types of memberships, please visit this link or email michigan@acpa.nche.edu
- Follow the steps to finalize your registration.
- If you are attending the conference with 3 or more colleagues, you are eligible for a 10% group discount. See the Group Rates section below.
Questions about the Annual Conference? Email michigan@acpa.nche.edu
HOTEL INFORMATION
We’re excited to announce that we have secured a hotel block at the Hampton by Hilton Lansing West for our upcoming conference.
Rooms are available for October 16th and/or 17th, 2025.
Secure your room at the special rate of $119.00 per night using the link below or by calling the Hampton by Hilton Lansing West and requesting the “ACPA-MI” conference block rate at (517) 999-7900.
Space is limited and provided on a first-come, first-served basis. Book Now!
Hampton Inn & Suites Lansing West
900 N Canal Rd, Lansing, MI 48917
PROGRAM
Tentative Schedule Below
• 08:00–08:30: Breakfast and Welcome
• 08:30–09:30: Keynote
• 09:30–09:45: Break
• 09:45–10:45: Breakout Sessions 1
• 10:45–11:00: Break
• 11:00–12:00: Breakout Sessions 2
• 12:00–12:30: Lunch
• 12:30–1:30: Plenary Panel
• 1:30–1:45: Break
• 1:45–2:45: Breakout Sessions 3
• 2:45–3:30: Brownies/cookies/coffee, prizes, awards (ACPA-MI and NOSSMI will have separate meetings)
FEATURED SPEAKERS
KEYNOTE SPEAKER
Dr. Robin Isserles
Community college educator, researcher, and author who has had decades of experience as a practitioner in the CUNY system in NYC.
Dr. Isserles' work shines a critical light on the systemic challenges facing community college students, and she brings both scholarly insight and real-world experience to every conversation. In her acclaimed book, The Costs of Completion: Student Success in Community College, Dr. Isserles explores how policy-driven definitions of “success” often fall short of the lived realities of students—and what we must do to reimagine support in a way that is both compassionate and effective.
In addition to her scholarship, Dr. Isserles has written widely, including a powerful op-ed in Inside Higher Ed titled “Make Community Colleges More Joyful”, where she calls for joy, not just metrics, to be at the heart of community college transformation.
PLENARY SESSION PANEL: The Future of Financial Aid in Michigan
Join us to gain insights into emerging trends and policies in financial aid in the state of Michigan. Our panelists have firsthand experience navigating the current and previous landscapes of financial support in Michigan and will share their experiences as change makers, leaders, and members of the community. This insightful and interactive conversation will help you better support student success and engagement on your campuses.
Shannon Dunivon
Senior Director of Financial Aid, Lansing Community College
Shannon Dunivon serves as the Senior Director of Financial Aid, where she leads a team of exceptional financial aid administrators and drives the department’s efforts to support student success through effective financial aid strategies and processes. With a career dedicated to financial aid and higher education, Shannon is passionate about breaking down barriers and eliminating the stigma often associated with financial aid. She believes in the power of clear, transparent communication to make the process easier for students and families to understand. Her commitment is to ensure every student receives the guidance and support they need to navigate financial aid successfully.
Before joining LCC, Shannon served as Director of Member Services at Michigan Independent Colleges & Universities (MICU), where she managed collaborative services, facilitated cost-saving initiatives, and organized professional development opportunities for private and independent colleges and universities. She also worked as Deputy Director for Student Scholarships and Grants within the Michigan Department of Treasury (now housed within MiLEAP), overseeing the operational functions and promotion of state aid programs. Her experience also includes serving as Director of Student Services at Baker College of Jackson, where she led the Financial Aid, Career Services, and Campus Safety departments. Shannon was recently elected to the Michigan Student Financial Aid Association (MSFAA) Board as the 2-Year Sector Representative. She holds a Bachelor of Science in Business with a focus on Public Relations from Ferris State University and a Master of Business Administration (MBA) with a concentration in Leadership Studies from Baker College.
Ryan Fewins-Bliss
Executive Director, Michigan College Access Network
As executive director, Ryan ensures MCAN is able to meet its mission by having the strategies, resources, and support necessary to reach Sixty by 30. This includes leading MCAN's policy work, fund development, partnerships, and efforts to achieve the organization's strategic plan.
Ryan has worked in education and the nonprofit field for nearly 20 years, having served in K-12, higher education, and community organizations. He served as assistant director of the Student Life Center at Saginaw Valley State University immediately after graduate school. In that role, he led the university's leadership and volunteer programming as well as community partnerships. After SVSU, Ryan took his civic engagement skills to Michigan Campus Compact where he served as assistant director of training and technical assistance. There, he supported Michigan colleges and universities in their community engagement. Ryan then spent the next four years consulting and supporting organizations around the state including the Jackson College Access Center, the W.K. Kellogg Foundation, Education Northwest/AmeriCorps VISTA, and the Shiawassee Child Advocacy Center, among others. In that capacity, he consulted with MCAN from its inception in 2010. Over time, he's served MCAN as a consultant, part-time staff member, assistant director, deputy director, and now executive director, a role he assumed in November 2019 when succeeding the founder.
Ryan earned a Bachelor of Applied Arts from Central Michigan University in integrative public relations and attended CMU for graduate school as well, earning a Master of Arts in educational administration and community leadership. College was the clear next step after high school for Ryan, as he was privileged to have support from his family and school. He worked in the campus volunteer center through graduate school and learned about critical issues facing communities — especially the lack of equity in education. This sparked his commitment to public service and education access.
Brandy Johnson
President, Michigan Community College Association
President of MCCA in December 2021. Prior to this role, she served in the Governor’s administration, first as Governor Whitmer's education policy advisor and then as a manager of the Office of Sixty by 30 within the Michigan Department of Labor and Economic Opportunity. In 2010, she founded the Michigan College Access Network and served as its Executive Director until 2019. Brandy also served as policy fellow and college access coordinator under Governor Jennifer Granholm. She was appointed by Governor Whitmer to represent Michigan on the Midwest Higher Education Compact and served on Governor Snyder’s 21st Century Education Commission. She has been recognized for her leadership and advocacy by the Michigan Association of School Administrators, National College Access Network, American Association of Collegiate Registrars and Admissions Officers, as well as by the Michigan College Access Network. Brandy earned her B.A. in Political Science from Arizona State University and her M.A.in Public Policy from the Gerald R. Ford School of Public Policy at the University of Michigan.
NextGen SESSION
Are you a graduate student in Student Affairs? Or an undergraduate student ready to apply to a graduate program? Or a Student Affairs graduate program coordinator?
ACPA-MI’s NextGen Session is a unique opportunity for graduate and undergraduate students to learn about the field of student affairs. Topics include navigating your first conference, trends in Student Affairs, navigating the job market, and utilizing ACPA-MI as a resource.
The NextGen session will be held during the first breakout session of the conference, from 9.45 am to 10.45 am.
How to register for NextGen 2025
- Register for the 2025 ACPAMI and NOSSMI conference
- RSVP to the session
- Review other helpful links on our website
EXPSENSE REQUEST AND JUSTIFICATION LETTER
ACPA-MI understands that conference attendance can be a budgetary challenge for your organization or department. We have developed a justification letter to assist you in crafting a letter of financial request to your supervisor. Simply fill in the blanks after downloading the document below!
ABOUT LCC
Lansing Community College is one of the largest community colleges in Michigan, serving more than 13,000 students each year. It offers a multitude of associate degrees and certificate programs in addition to career and workforce development and personal enrichment options. The college was founded in 1957 and has since grown from its flagship campus in downtown Lansing to include locations in Delta Township, East Lansing, Mason, and Livingston County. LCC is consistently named one of Michigan's best community colleges, and students enjoy unsurpassed instruction, beautiful facilities, cutting-edge technology and comprehensive support services to help them succeed.
Parking for the Conference
Parking is free in the West Campus Parking Lot.
